Devon digital guide by Britain Magazine by The Chelsea Magazine Company - issuu issuu Countryside, coastline and cream teas DIGITAL GUIDE The 630-mile South West Coast Path gives stunning views of the North Devon coastline, parts of which are under the care of the National Trust: Great Hangman (England's highest sea cliff) and Little Hangman, near Combe Martin BRITAIN 3 PHOTO: NTPL, DAVID NOTON From combe to tor, beach to clifftop, Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second largest county is a tapestry of landscapes waiting to be explored, before sitting down to a good cream tea Devon Top left: Bayards Cove, the oldest surviving quay in Dartmouth. Centre: yachts moored in Salcombe Harbour. Top right: Brixham, a thriving fishing port on the English Riviera. Bottom right: The Taw Estuary across to Codden Hill, in the North Devon Biosphere Reserve on the south or the wide golden expanses of Woolacombe and Saunton in the north.

For me, a Grockle (local name for tourist) who grew up with a beach hut at Southend-on-Sea, the other side of the country, it was enough to discover that icon of the English seaside also in abundance here. They stand in their brightly-painted glory at resorts such as Paignton, Budleigh Salterton and Woolacombe. The coast is not just about bucket and spades, though. There are sand dunes at Braunton Burrows, sheltered estuaries for yachties at Salcombe and Dartmouth, and dramatic clifftops where Exmoor meets the sea. It can all be explored from the South West Coast Path, a 630-milelong national trail that skirts both sides of Devon on its way from Somerset round to Dorset. As the path runs through Devon, it gives you some of the most stunning views Britain has to offer: from Great Hangman, England’s highest sea cliff and the Hartland Heritage Coast in the north, round to Start Point and Bolt Head down at Devon’s most southerly tip. No surprise, then, that both coasts include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (in fact, Devon boasts five).

Devon boasts five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a UNESCO biosphere, a UNESCO geopark, two national parks... and East Devon forms part of the World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast 4 BRITAIN The catchment area of the Rivers Taw and Torridge from Dartmoor National Park out to sea to the island of Lundy is a UNESCO biosphere, and the whole of Torbay is a UNESCO geopark. Devon’s curriculum vitae of worthy titles shows just how special and well worth exploring its landscapes are. And while we’re showing off, East Devon forms part of the World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast. Between these two glorious Devon coastlines there’s much to explore, not least two National Parks (Exmoor and Dartmoor) and the beautiful and varied riverscapes, such as the Exe and Otter in the east, the Teign (pronounced “Teen”) and Dart in the south, and the Tamar running along the border with Cornwall in the west. Devon’s few railway routes are also well-placed to let you enjoy its scenery.

The Tarka Line, for example, follows the river valleys of the Yeo and Taw from the county town of Exeter for 39-miles up to Barnstaple in North Devon. From Eggesford to Barnstaple, the line forms part of the Tarka Trail, a 180-mile, figure-of-eight route tracing the journeys of Tarka the Otter in Henry Williamson’s novel. Try to get a window seat to enjoy the stretch of Brunel’s railway line from Exeter to Newton Abbot. Trains chug down the River Exe past Powderham Castle (home of the Earl of Devon) and the wading birds of the Dawlish Warren nature reserve, around the red coast with the seaside resorts of Dawlish and Teignmouth, then up the River Teign with views across to the chocolate-box PHOTOS: DAVID OAKES/WWW.BRITAINONVIEW.COM/COURTESY OF NORTH DEVON COAST AONB W hen he wasn’t being carried over the sea to Skye, song writer Sir Harold Boulton, was waxing lyrical about a certain county in the West Country.

“When Adam and Eve were dispossessed, Of the garden hard by Heaven, They planted another one down in the West, ‘Twas Devon… glorious Devon!” For Boulton, over a century ago, Devon was a land of “Combe and tor, green meadow and lane, Birds on the waving bough, Beetling cliffs by the surging main, Rich red loam for the plough.” The county still has these in abundance, despite subsequent urbanisation and the area’s popularity with holidaymakers. When Napoleon’s wars cut off access to the Mediterranean, the Brits headed west to their own English Riviera and we’ve kept up the tradition of holidaying in Devon to this day. A holiday for the Brits has usually meant seaside, and Devon, sat comfortably between Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall on the great peninsula of the West Country, has two coastlines with beaches aplenty. Take your pick from the rich red sands of Sidmouth, Teignmouth and Dawlish BRITAIN 5 Devon villages of Shaldon and Ringmore.

If you time your journey right and catch one of Devon’s spectacular sunsets, the burning red skies are reflected in the rivers below, with the dark shapes of moored yachts flashing by and the lights of riverside inns twinkling across the water. Several heritage railways also let you step back in time for a steam ride through the countryside. For example, travel by steam train from Paignton to Kingswear then join a river cruise on the River Dart, to Greenway, Agatha Christie’s holiday home now open to the public with the National Trust. The Queen of Crime was born in Torquay in 1890 and, despite traveling as far as Iraq and Syria, she loved to return. She socialised at the Imperial Hotel, honeymooned with Archibald Christie at The Grand Hotel and featured Devon locations in 15 of her books. The English Riviera celebrates its association with the world-famous crime writer and holds an Agatha Christie Festival each September and a Festival of Crime Writing in April. Devon’s literary connections also include Lorna Doone Country based around Badgeworthy Water in the north. Richard Doddridge Blackmore set his ‘romance of Exmoor’ here in the 17th century.

And the famously steep and pretty village of Clovelly in north Devon was childhood home to author Charles Kingsley and inspired his The Water Babies, while the village of Westward Ho!, along 6 PHOTOS: NEVILLE STANIK/WWW.BRITAINONVIEW.COM/DEREK FORSS ILLISTRAITION: DAVID HOBBS Devon the coast opposite Saunton Sands, was named after his 1855 novel of the same name. Dartmoor is famously the setting for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles – one of the charms of the National Park is the atmospheric landscape of its rocky tors and valley. However, you are more likely to meet a friendly Dartmoor pony than a fantasy beast. Lewtrenchard, a Jacobean manor house, now a Von Essen hotel, in the Tamar Valley, was where the Reverend Sabine Barrington Gould composed Onward Christian Soldiers and other hymns, and Devon’s musical heritage also takes you to the National Trust’s Coleton Fishacre, a charming Arts and Crafts house with an Art Deco interior, with a delightful garden running down to the sea near Kingswear.

The story goes that the Doyly Carte family (of Gilbert and Sullivan and Savoy fame) were sailing along the Devon coast and spotted the valley. They decided to buy it for a holiday home. The Doyly Cartes were not the only successful entrepreneurial families building homes in Devon. Knightshayes Court, near Tiverton, was built by architect William Burges in Gothic Revival style for the family of pioneer lace-maker John Heathcoat in 1869. On Dartmoor, the National Trust’s Castle Drogo was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for retail tycoon Julius Drewe. He had discovered in his family ancestry a Norman baron named Drogo, and wanted a castle to reflect his line of descent. One of his cousins was coincidentally rector of Drewsteignton and he bought land from him in 1910 to build his dream castle. Nearby, hidden away at the end of a seemingly endless winding country lane is Gidleigh Park, a mock Tudor house built in 1928 for Australian shipping magnate, CHC MacIlwraith.

In 1977 it became a hotel, adding Enjoy England’s Hotel of the Year to its long list of awards. Also on Dartmoor, in 1880 William Henry Smith (of Britain’s newsagent chain) bought the land where Bovey Castle stands today; his son Frederick built the manor house, completed in 1907. In 2004, it became the five-star resort Bovey Castle under another Devon-born entrepreneur Sir Peter de Savary and today is one of the Pride of Britain hotel collection. Lana de Savary, Peter’s sister, recently brought a touch of luxury to the Cary Arms at Babbacombe, relaunching it as a boutique gastropub, Top left: Hele Bay near Ilfracombe in North Devon. Centre: Hound Tor on Dartmoor. Top right: Thatched cottages in the village of Otterton in East Devon. Above right: Malmsmead in what is known as Lorna Doone Country, after Richard Doddridge Blackmore's 'romance of Exmoor' Dartmoor is famously the setting for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

However, you are more likely to meet a friendly Dartmoor pony than a fantasy beast BRITAIN 7 Devon This picture: Ness Beach at Shaldon. Top left: Exeter's Cathedral Close. Left: Hartland Lighthouse in North Devon. Right: Exeter cathedral's nave, with the longest unbroken Gothic ceiling in world. Below right: The village of Cockington near Torquay n r ec ita i om br m Ed COASTLINE, CHRISTIE AND CLOTTED CREAM chitor oic ’s e t Agatha Christie Mile on en ds PHOTOS: NEVILLE STANIKK/DARREN GALPIN/NIGEL HICKS/JAYAWARDENE i n the English Riviera explores locations connected with the crime writer. co.uk/agathachristie t Braunton Burrows, the important dune system at the heart of the UNESCO North Devon Biopshere. www. northdevonbiosphere.org.uk t Circular walk in East Devon (allow a half day) from Budleigh Salterton to Otterton, including River Otter and Heritage Coast, via tearoom/restaurant at Otterton Mill. One of many walks on www.

southwestcoastpath.com t Combe House Hotel (3-star), Honiton, nr Exeter. Elizabethan manor house hotel with two rosette restaurant in peaceful countryside. Tel: (01404) 540400; t Dart Marina (4-star), Dartmouth. Luxury hotel on the waterside with spa and re c om m e n d s Enjoy an award-winning Devon cream tea at Docton Mill fine dining. Bedrooms with great views. Tel: (01803) 832580; t Docton Mill Gardens, Hartland, N Devon. With the Best Tea Room (2009 North Devon Food & Drink Awards). Tel: (01237) 441369; Take a nostaglic trip on one of Devon’s heritage railways. t Spekes Mill Mouth, near Milford. North Devon’s tallest waterfall, on the stunning Hartland Peninsula. t Cary Arms (5-star inn), Babbcombe Beach, S Devon. Relaunched as a stylish boutique hotel and gastropub with fabulous seaside location.

Tel: (01803) 327110; t The Nobody Inn, Doddiscombsleigh, nr Exeter. Award-winning 16th-century pub famed for its wine, whisky and cheese lists. Tel: (01647) 252394; with one of the best seaside locations to be found (rooms take advantage of the ever-changing views along Devon’s red coastline). On a clear day, you can see Teignmouth peaking out behind the Ness headland and right around Lyme Bay to Portland Bill in Dorset. Devon’s built heritage is not just large-scale: near Exmouth, the National Trust’s A la Ronde is a crazy little 16-sided house with weird and wonderful interiors, built to house the mementoes of the two Parminter sisters from their grand tour in the 18th century. And, across to Ottery St Mary, there’s the small but perfectly formed Elizabethan manor of Cadhays, with beautiful gardens. Elizabethan history continues over in the maritime city of Plymouth, on its historic Barbican.

The house of an Elizabethen merchant has been restored to take you back in time to the Plymouth of Sir Francis Drake, the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. Born in Tavistock in 1540, Drake was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I and was Vice Admiral in the fleet that defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. Plymouth is forever known as the city where, reputedly, Drake calmly continued playing a game of bowls beside the sea on the Hoe as the Armada approached. It was also said that Drake declared the Ship Inn, off the cathedral close in Exeter, to be his favourite place on earth. The close is certainly one of mine in Devon. At its heart, the cathedral, formerly a Norman Romanesque church, was rebuilt around 1265 in Decorated Gothic style. Enter through the beautiful West Front, with its tiers of saints and angels. Inside, after admiring the nave with the longest unbroken Gothic ceiling in the world, look under the seats of the choir for the oldest set of misericord carvings in England.

On Cathedral Close sits the Royal Clarence Hotel, built in 1769 and now one of the Abode Hotels, jointly run by acclaimed Exeter-born chef, Michael Caines. Caines made his name at Gidleigh Park and is still executive chef there. He’s one of Devon’s growing list of top chefs, with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in Axminster, the Tanners in Plymouth, Simon Hulstone at the Michelin-starred Elephant in Torquay and Mark Streeter at the Dart Marina. While the county might now be famed for its fine dining, the regional dish remains the much-loved Devon cream tea. There’s an enormous choice of places to try it, including any National Trust tearoom, or head for the Georgian Tearoom in Topsham, Docton Mill Gardens tearoom near Hartland, or quaint and quirky Angels on the Babbacombe Downs. It’s certainly a heavenly mixture: scones (of various styles from fruit to wholemeal), jam and thick clotted cream. The perfect indulgence after a long walk on Dartmoor or along the coastal path.

 For our full report on Devon, visit For more ideas of what to see and do and where to stay, Tourist Information Centres: Barnstaple, tel: (01271) 375000; Dartmouth, tel: (01803) 834224; Exeter, tel: (01392) 665700; Torquay, tel: (01803) 211211. BRITAIN 11 Devon A DV E R T I S E M E N T FDevon E AT U R E Discover Devon From pretty guest houses to idyllic seaside retreats, there is accommodation to suit all tastes in glorious Devon 1 2 BEARA FARM Our family and dog friendly 4 star guest house is 3 minutes from the sea and the southwest coast path, on the edge of Exmoor, making it the perfect base during your trip. We have our own free car park for all guests and complimentary WIFI is available throughout the premises.

2 Woodlands, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 OAT Lovely new static caravan in orchard setting on our beautiful Devon farm. Visitors can enjoy full use of the heated outdoor pool and games room, beautiful private garden. Sleeps 4 comfortably from £180. Beara Farm, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7DU Tel: 01271 882769 Tel: 01769 580282/ 01769 580726 4 CAVENDISH HOTEL Family-run hotel in beautiful Torquay, close to the sea front, beaches and main attractions. Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, great entertainment, kids play areas and games rooms, bar, restaurant and gardens. Bed and breakfast from just £25pppn. Belgrave Road, Torquay, TQ2 5HN 5 FURSDON HOUSE Stay in a 4 star apartment in beautiful historic Fursdon House or a 5 star Victorian Cottage on the estate all with stunning views to Dartmoor. House and Garden open to the public in summer.

Exeter, Devon EX5 5JS Tel: 01392 860860 3 BLUE WATERS LODGE The licensed Blue Waters Lodge offers bed & breakfast within 200yds of the sea, shops and local entertainments. Agatha Christie’s Greenway, Steam Railway, Zoo, Kents Cavern and Model Village are just some of the most notable must see attractions. 4 Leighon Road, Paighton, Devon, TQ3 2BQ Tel: 01803 557749 THE NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM 6 The National Marine Aquarium is a charity committed to driving marine conservation through engagement. Support us on facebook, with a like and visit our website to learn and win. Rope Walk, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 0LF Tel: 0844 893 7938 YEALM HOLIDAYS Based close to a glorious shoreline this one bedroom cottage has wonderful views of the Yealm Estuary and is perfect for any visitor looking for sheer peace and tranquillity . It also has private parking and and a little quay with a mooring ring for a small dinghy.

9 The Malthouse ,Noss Mayo, Yealm, Devon, PL8 1DX Tel: 01752 872712 BRITAIN ● If calling Britain from overseas, dial your international code, then 44, and drop the first zero BRITAIN 10 11 l Dartmouth 15 14 ADVERTISERS GUIDE 1 Acorns Guest House 2 Woodlands Combe, Devon EX34 0AT T: + 44 (0) 1271 882 769 w: acorns-guesthouse.co.uk 5 Cavendish Hotel Belgrave Road, Torquay TQ2 5HN T: + 44 (0) 1803 293 682 w: cavendishtorquay.co.uk 9 Highcliffe House Sinai Hill, Devon EX35 6AR T: + 44 (0) )1598 752 235 w: highcliffehouse.co.uk 13 Salcombe Close House Sid Lane, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 9AW T: + 44

 (0) 1395 579 067 w: salcombeclosehouse.com 2 Arundell Arms Hotel 1 Fore Street Lifton, Devon PL16 0AA T: + 44 (0) 1566 784 666 w: arundellarms.com 6 Clovelly, North Devon Clovelly Visitor's Centre, Bideford EX39 5TA T: + 44 (0) 1237 431787 w: clovelly.co.uk 10 National Marine Aquarium Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LF T: + 44 (0) 844 893 7938 w: national-aquarium.co.uk 14 Thurlestone Hotel Thurlestone Village, Devon, TQ7 3NN T: + 44 (0) 1548 560 382 w: thurlestone.co.uk 3 Beara Farm Chulmleigh, Devon EX18 7DU T: + 44 (0)1769 5

80282 w: beara-farm.co.uk 7 Fursdon House Exeter, Devon EX5 5JS T: + 44 (0) 1392 860 860 w: fursdon.co.uk 11 Rainbow Lodge 29 Athenaeum Street, Devon PL1 2RQ T: + 44 (0) 1752 229 699 w: rainbowlodgeplymouth.co.uk 15 Yealm Holidays 9 The Malthouse, Yealm, Devon PL8 1DX T: + 44 (0)1752 872 712 w: yealm-holidays.co.uk 4 Bluewaters Lodge 4 Leighon Road, Devon TQ3 2BQ T: + 44 (0) 1803 557 749 w: bluewaterslodge.co.uk 8 The Grand Hotel Seafront, Torquay, Devon TQ2 6NT T: + 44 (0) 844 502 7587 w: grandtorquay

.co.uk 12 Royal Glen Hotel Glen Road, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8RW T: + 44 (0) 1395 513 221 w: royalglenhotel.co.uk featured on pg.13 Lynmouth to Combe Martin :: Explore the South West Coast Path Grading : ++++ OS Sheet : OL9 This walk takes in the highest sea cliff in England, Great Hangman, at 318 meters high.

The walk begins from the beautiful town of Lynmouth in the heart of Exmoor and climbs steeply to it's sister at the top of the cliff, Lynton. From here you head west through the spectacular Valley of Rocks and on to Lee Bay and Lee Abbey. The walk continues west past the beautiful wooded Woody Bay and on via lovely heathland to Great Hangman and down to Combe Martin. The walk begins from Lynmouth. If you are travelling by car, Lynmouth is along the A39 road that runs along the north edge of Exmoor. It is worth noting that there are very steep hills into Lynmouth, whether you come from the west or the east and great care needs to be taken particularly in bad weather. The road, despite being an A-class road has many tight bends, steep hills and some small single track sections. There are several car parks in Lynmouth (pay and display) or you may prefer to park in Lynton and take the cliff railway down to Lynmouth. Due to the limited direct public transport between Combe Martin and Lynmouth (see below) you may prefer instead to park in Combe Martin and travel by bus into Lynmouth so you can walk back to your car in your own time.

If you are travelling by public transport, bus services 309 and 310 provide a broadly hourly service to Lynton and Lynmouth from Barnstaple. There is a railway station at Barnstaple with train services to Exeter from where there are connections into long-distance trains. In addition bus 300 runs a few times daily to Ilfracombe via Combe Martin. For details please see the link below. North Devon Public Transport There is a good choice of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation in Lynton and Lynmouth. Some are right next to the coast path as you head west out of Lynton. For details see the links below or call the tourist information centre on 0845 6603232. There is also a good choice of camping and self catering accommodation available close by. 4 Hotels - Lynmouth Lynmouth (and it's neighbor Lynton at the top of the cliffs) is a really beautiful town known as Devon's little Switzerland due to the very hilly nature of the surrounding countryside. This makes for a stunning walk but also a fairly tough and long walk. The town nestles in the Lyn valley with the pretty river flowing through the middle of the town.

However it was not always so peaceful, with the river bursting it's banks and seriously damaging the village in 1952, when many of the buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged, with many losing their lives in the floods. Beginning from the little pier beside the harbour on the west side of the river head along the road and fork right up the hill past the buildings on the right. Turn to the right and follow the tarmac path as it zig-zags it's way up the cliff crossing the track of the Lynton and Lynmouth cliff railway several times. This unique railway is water powered as the trains are connected together. The train at the top has a tank underneath the train filled with water, causing it to be heavier and so travel down the track, pulling the other train to the top. The water is then emptied from the tank at the bottom and the top filled to repeat the process. As you reach the top you will pass the top station. Continue on the road here past a number of hotels to the left with fine views down over the bay below. Soon you pass the last of the hotels and the path narrows, but is still tarmac.

The cliffs to the right are now almost a sheer drop, yet you will often see mountain goats climbing around these very steep slopes. Rounding the cliffs into Wringcliff Bay the path descends down to the road, although the steep rock, Castle Rock ahead can be climbed with care, offering good views. This area is known as the Valley of Rocks, being unusual to have such a steep valley immediately adjacent to the coast. On coming down to the road, where there is a little roundabout, you take the road straight ahead. The road ahead is a toll road, as it is a private road and so there is very little traffic along it most of the time. Soon you pass Lee Abbey on the right, a religious centre. Continuing along the road it descends down to a car park and cottage and the toll is usually collected here. To the right is a car park and toilets. To the right is Lee Bay, one of two identically named places on the North Devon Coast. The coast path doesn't actually go down to the beach, but it's a worthwhile diversion. The beach is a rocky and stony beach with a stream flowing across it and tall cliffs on either side and is a beautiful and secluded spot.

Returning to the coast path, continue along the road ahead as you climb out of the bay. You come to a junction where the coast path is signed two ways, either along the road or an alternative route to the right. The alternative route briefly follows field edge paths along the coast and offers good views, but is a slightly longer distance. Whichever way you choose you soon end up back on the road and you follow it close to the Woody Bay Hotel, an isolated hotel. Just after the hotel take the path on the right following a track through the woodland as you descend. The coast path again misses out going down to Woody Bay, but if you choose to do so, follow the track off to the right, as it doubles back through the woodland and descends down to the beach. Like Lee Bay before this is another isolated and rocky beach but one that is very peaceful and offers wonderful views. Return to the coast path west and follow the surfaced track westwards. As the surfaced track (really a road) comes to a tight bend go straight on to return to a footpath through the woodland. The path then turns west to follow the coast and crosses the little stream of Hollow Brook, leading from the little village of Martinhoe a little over a half mile inland.

Beyond you come to a lovely waterfall and continue west above the cliffs known as The Cow and Calf. The path ahead is still very rocky and the coast is lined with heather which is beautiful in the high summer months when in flower. Continue along the coast path west to Highveer Point, where you can enjoy fine views of the coast ahead and the steep valley of Heddons Mouth below. Due to the very steep gradient you have to head around a half mile inland to cross the stream. Take the path along the top of the cliffs heading south and gradually descending. This is a beautiful wooded valley with another little fast-flowing stream at the bottom that has cut this steep valley. On descending down you reach a bridge over the stream which you take, but briefly continue south beside the stream before turning right and taking a path that zig-zags quite steeply back up to the cliff top and then turns back north. It is very well signed and once you reach the top it again offers lovely views of the valley.

The wide track you joined at the bottom of the valley can be joined to come down to the stony beach at the end, Heddons Mouth beach which again, like other beaches along the walk, the official route of the coast path does not take in. Once up to the top of the cliffs you have lovely views of the path you have just taken on the other side of the valley. The path continues west along the heather-lined cliffs. The path is very spectacular, with rocky outcrops to the left and a steep drop to the right down to the sea level. As you round the path you have lovely views of the wide bay, Elwill Bay and the coast ahead. The path turns briefly south and then joins a path along the edge of various fields. It continues like this west, passing close to the village of Trentishoe. After around 2 miles or so of the path beside fields you continue ahead onto the beautiful Trentishoe Down. The path follows close to the top of the down and is actually a little back from the sea edge. Ahead you can see the numerous hills, including the Great Hangman, the highest point on the whole coast path. Continue west along this obvious rocky and gravel path.

After around a mile the path enters a field which you go straight across and into a second field where just before the boundary you turn to head south, as the path now has to divert a little inland around another valley, Sherrycombe. Keep the field edge to your right and at the southern edge of the field you turn right to head west again. Shortly after you turn ignore the footpath going off to the left and continue straight on along the edge of another field keeping the wall to your left. The path again forks ahead, take the right most fork as it turns to head west once more. The path now descends towards the stream which you cross via a footbridge and then begin to climb back up the other side. The path then turns sharply to the right and begins to turn back towards the coast and continues to climb. The path joins the edge of a field on the left and you keep to the coast side of the field boundary. As you come to the corner of the field and the field boundary turns south keep going straight on along the obvious path as you begin to climb to the summit of Great Hangman.

A cairn marks the summit of the cliff which is the highest point on the coast path at more than 1000ft high. There are, as you would expect, excellent views all around both to the sea and inland to the rolling hills of Exmoor. Leaving the cairn you continue west as the path now begins it's descent into Combe Martin. Soon you have a field boundary on your left once more and walk on the coast side of this. The path goes slightly south of the tip of Little Hangman although there is an easy path to the top of the summit if you would like to enjoy the view from it. Keep going west with the field walls close by to your left. Soon you are rounding the back of Wild Pear beach below. This is a lovely beach though with very difficult access down. It is rocky at high tide but has some sand at low tide. The path now returns right to the cliff edge as you continue west pass a little wooden shelter on the cliff top. Just beyond this the official route of the coast path turns left, but a better route is to turn right keeping to the cliff top path then descend the grassy area beyond down to the car park on the cliff top.

You round the back of the beach down to a larger car park and the main beach of Combe Martin. The village is in a small valley and so most of it stretches inland along one long street, rumored to be the longest village street in England. The beach and rock pools here are worth exploring if you have the time and energy whilst a little inland along the road you will come to the Pack O'Cards pub, that originally had 52 windows, 13 rooms and 4 floors, although it has been modified over the years with some windows filled in. The village has all the amenities you might expect including food shops, pubs and cafes. To return to Lynmouth bus service 300 runs several times daily during the summer but is not frequent. If this is not an option there are frequent buses back to Barnstaple from where you can change onto a more frequent bus service back to Lynmouth, although services are limited on Sundays. For details, see the link below. North Devon Public Transport Here are some photos of the walk. Click each picture for a larger version and description.

Ordnance Survey Explorer map OL9 (Exmoor) covers this area of the coast path and is available from most book shops nationwide and many local shops as well as the Lynton tourist information centre. Streetmap is a web site which provides maps of the UK, including around Lynton, Lynmouth and Combe Martin. The links below will be of most use to the coast path from Lynmouth to Combe Martin. These maps join to provide the complete coast path between the two points. The Hangman Hills - Walk - South West Coast Path Interactive Elevation Route Description From the car park take the Coast Path up the steps past the houses and keep climbing with it to the junction of paths above Wild Pear Beach. Although it is possible to reach Wild Pear Beach on foot, it is a difficult and dangerous enterprise, leading to the beach being a popular naturist haunt. There was once a lime kiln on the cliffs here, which processed lime for agricultural purposes, and an associated counting house (see the Little Hangman Walk ). Ships travelled between here and South Wales bringing coal and limestone, and taking away iron and manganese from the nearby mines.

Combe Martin itself was once a busy port, with its share of tales of seafarers and shipwrecks. The most noted visitor from foreign shores was the seventeenth century Earl of Rone (from Tyrone in Ireland), whose ship was said to have been wrecked at nearby Raparee Beach, in Ilfracombe. Allegedly the Earl's vessel was not wrecked at all; but like many another community the folk of Combe Martin didn't let the truth get in the way of a good tale (and a good celebration), choosing instead to honour the event every year with the annual “Hunting of the Earl of Rone”. Taking place on the Spring Bank Holiday, the revelries include the Earl, a hobby hoss, a fool, a donkey, and some grenadiers, accompanied by musicians, drummers and dancers. The practice was abolished in 1837, when the “licentious and drunken behaviour” of the revellers led to one unfortunate merrymaker falling off a wall, but it was revived in 1970 and is now one of the highlights of the North Devon calendar.

Ignoring the path to the right above Wild Pear Beach, carry on up the hill towards Little Hangman. To visit Little Hangman, take the sheep track to the left and return to the original path a little further on. (Be aware that there's plenty more uphill yet though!). Otherwise stay on the path and follow it around the coast above The Rawn's and steeply uphill to Great Hangman. On the area to your right here are the remains of a rifle range and target butts here, and what was possibly a building associated with them. They were built sometime after 1887 and are only visible now as a small mound covered in turf and scrub. At 1044 feet, or 318 metres, Great Hangman is England's highest sea cliff. From the cairn at the top here are tremendous views over the surrounding countryside, including the rounded humps of the “hogsback cliffs”, formed of the red Hangman Grits which were laid down as desert sands here 300 – 400 million years ago and raised high by the movements of the earth beneath. At the cairn, take the path heading downhill to the south east for about 400m.

Turn right onto the bridleway and follow it through the fields to Girt Down Farm. The whole of the area enclosed by this walk was once an important mining area. As early as 1292 Combe Martin was defined as a Royal Mine, and a hundred years later King Edward III sent miners from the South Pennines to work here. In the fifteenth century, King Henry V found the mines a valuable resource for the “betterment of his wars in France,” and declared that “the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt were won in the shafts of Combe Martin”. A further century later, Henry VIII appointed a notable German mining engineer to oversee operations here and elsewhere in Devon, and gave him a thousand men to work with. Combe Martin was particularly noted for its silver, but manganese, iron, lead, zinc and copper were also mined around here, and there are remnants of shafts and adits throughout this area, especially around West Challacombe, Girt Down and Knap Down, as well as the remains of an old wheel-house to the south of this walk.

Take the track past Girt Down Farm, and then turn right along the track between fields over Knap Down, to where it meets the road at Netherton Cross. There are the remains of a mediaeval settlement at Netherton, long since abandoned. There is also an ancient standing stone somewhere on Knap Down, although there is some controversy over where and what it is. It seems to be prehistoric, however, and is known as the Hangman's Stone. Turn right onto the track and follow it past the Netherton ruins, towards East Challacombe Farm. Cross the stream and, ignoring the lane to East Challacombe Farm, turn sharply left down the path and stay with it beside the stream down onto the edge of the village. Take the left-hand track downhill into the village towards the main road. Turn right just before the main road and follow the back street back past the tourist information office to the car park.

Nearby refreshments From Countisbury to Lynmouth | Exmoor is loosely defined as … | Flickr Gregor Samsa By: Gregor Samsa From Countisbury to Lynmouth Exmoor is loosely defined as an area of hilly open moorland in west Somerset and north Devon in South West England, named after the River Exe, the source of which is situated in the centre of the area, 2 miles NW of Simonsbath. The moor has given its name to a National Park, which includes the Brendon Hills, the East Lyn Valley, the Vale of Porlock and 55 kilometres (34 mi) of the Bristol Channel coast. The highest point on Exmoor is Dunkery Beacon; at 519 metres (1,703 ft) it is also the highest point in Somerset. The total area of the Exmoor National Park is 692.8 square kilometres (267.5 sq mi), of which 71% is in Somerset and 29% in Devon. Exmoor was designated a National Park in 1954, under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

The Exmoor National Park is primarily an upland area with a dispersed population living mainly in small villages and hamlets. The largest settlements are Porlock, Dulverton, Lynton, and Lynmouth, which together contain almost 40% of the park's population. Lynton and Lynmouth are combined into one parish and are connected by the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway. Exmoor has 55 kilometres (34 mi) of coastline, including the highest sea cliffs in England, which reach a height of 314 metres (1,030 ft) at Culbone Hill. However, the crest of this coastal ridge of hills is more than 1.6 km (0.99 mi) from the sea. If a cliff is defined as having a slope greater than 60 degrees, the highest sea cliff on mainland Britain is Great Hangman near Combe Martin at 318 metres (1,043 ft) high, with a cliff face of 250 metres (820 ft). Its sister cliff is the 250 metres (820 ft) Little Hangman, which marks the edge of Exmoor.

The scenery of rocky headlands, ravines, waterfalls and towering cliffs gained the Exmoor coast recognition as a heritage coast in 1991. With its huge waterfalls and caves, this dramatic coastline has become an adventure playground for both climbers and explorers. The cliffs provide one of the longest and most isolated seacliff traverses in the UK. The South West Coast Path, at 1,014 kilometres (630 mi) the longest National Trail in England and Wales, starts at Minehead and runs along all of Exmoor's coast. There are small harbours at Lynmouth, Porlock Weir and Combe Martin. Once crucial to coastal trade, the harbours are now primarily used for pleasure; individually owned sail boats and non-commercial fishing boats are often found in the harbours. The Valley of the Rocks beyond Lynton is a deep dry valley that runs parallel to the nearby sea and is capped on the seaward side by large rocks and Sexton's Burrows forms a natural breakwater to the Harbour of Watermouth Bay on the coast.

Deep woods at Lynmouth | Exmoor is loosely defined as an are… | Flickr Gregor Samsa By: Gregor Samsa Deep woods at Lynmouth Exmoor is loosely defined as an area of hilly open moorland in west Somerset and north Devon in South West England, named after the River Exe, the source of which is situated in the centre of the area, 2 miles NW of Simonsbath. The moor has given its name to a National Park, which includes the Brendon Hills, the East Lyn Valley, the Vale of Porlock and 55 kilometres (34 mi) of the Bristol Channel coast. The highest point on Exmoor is Dunkery Beacon; at 519 metres (1,703 ft) it is also the highest point in Somerset. The total area of the Exmoor National Park is 692.8 square kilometres (267.5 sq mi), of which 71% is in Somerset and 29% in Devon. Exmoor was designated a National Park in 1954, under the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.

The Exmoor National Park is primarily an upland area with a dispersed population living mainly in small villages and hamlets. The largest settlements are Porlock, Dulverton, Lynton, and Lynmouth, which together contain almost 40% of the park's population. Lynton and Lynmouth are combined into one parish and are connected by the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway. Exmoor has 55 kilometres (34 mi) of coastline, including the highest sea cliffs in England, which reach a height of 314 metres (1,030 ft) at Culbone Hill. However, the crest of this coastal ridge of hills is more than 1.6 km (0.99 mi) from the sea. If a cliff is defined as having a slope greater than 60 degrees, the highest sea cliff on mainland Britain is Great Hangman near Combe Martin at 318 metres (1,043 ft) high, with a cliff face of 250 metres (820 ft). Its sister cliff is the 250 metres (820 ft) Little Hangman, which marks the edge of Exmoor.

The scenery of rocky headlands, ravines, waterfalls and towering cliffs gained the Exmoor coast recognition as a heritage coast in 1991. With its huge waterfalls and caves, this dramatic coastline has become an adventure playground for both climbers and explorers. The cliffs provide one of the longest and most isolated seacliff traverses in the UK. The South West Coast Path, at 1,014 kilometres (630 mi) the longest National Trail in England and Wales, starts at Minehead and runs along all of Exmoor's coast. There are small harbours at Lynmouth, Porlock Weir and Combe Martin. Once crucial to coastal trade, the harbours are now primarily used for pleasure; individually owned sail boats and non-commercial fishing boats are often found in the harbours. The Valley of the Rocks beyond Lynton is a deep dry valley that runs parallel to the nearby sea and is capped on the seaward side by large rocks and Sexton's Burrows forms a natural breakwater to the Harbour of Watermouth Bay on the coast.

Question: England's highest sea cliff, Great Hangman, is in which county?
Answer: DEVON